Hilly I am so sorry you have lost another beloved girl Marge. I know exactly what you mean about losing proper characters, quite a few of my girls are always remembered for doing certain things that others have never done and in time it just makes you smile when I know none of my girls would follow me about in the open garden, never stay too far away and never come when called like my first girl Alice. I have lost ex batties at 8 months but as you are totally aware of how ever long they have with us is such a bonus for them. I did a rescue a few weeks ago and trust me just watching the girls in the stable before their new owners came was heartwarming, after the initial confusion they start to explore their surroundings realising they can walk a very long way with no bars. I know it hurts us mummies so badly , the darn eyp is always lurking within battery girls but as hard as it is to lose love them and lose them we have given them a proper henny life, for how ever long that may be.

So glad you are going to rehome some batties, it goes without saying the girls you rehome will be glad too, especially when they rock yo to your pad You know my Gwen growled like a teddy and I miss that sound so so much.

I still hear some of my lost girls around the garden, they are always there in the corner of my eye, playing somewhere. Little tinkers! It's nice that they are still around, if only in my mind.

Fresh start for hens website seems to be broken these days, I have noticed lots of facebook posts from them though about rehoming and they have one coming up in July so maybe check them out on facebook instead.

Hi Hilly, so glad you are getting 4 more ex batties. I know the feeling of "can't go through this again" when we lose them, but if kind people, like yourself, didn't give homes to these ladies they would never have the opportunity of living free and happy in lovely homes. Exciting times ahead for you - will look forward to the photo's.

Whilst gardening last night - slowly, on my knees and with a hand fork - so "helping" chickens are not accidently hurt - noticed that there were only 3 "helping". Found Queenie hunkered under a bush. Previous to that, she had been running, scratching and jumping up for treats.

When I called her out, she came and there was white stuff hanging out of her bum and down her feathers. She wouldn't let me get "up close and personal" so I shut them all back in the run whilst I showered and made lunch for today.

When finished, I went back down the garden and she had taken herself off into the nest box in the dark. I decided to leave her for abit, but was too upset thinking I cant cope with any more just now, I put them back away and went indoors.

They like to rummage just before they go to bed, so I went back to let them out and Queen was, up and around, absolutely fine - but I noticed some yolk on her face. Looks like she had laid a softie and then ate it. Everything fine this morning. Honestly, chicken keeping is a roller coaster of emotions!

Your right there Hilly - Chicken Keeping is a roller coaster of emotions (a good way to put it). I have had chickens before that are fine one minute and then go into that hunched up "I'm not well" look but as soon as they get the softie out they are fine and back to normal.

Poor girls - but they are lucky now they have a lovely home and I'm sure it will not be long before they settle down and start to look and feel a lot better. It's lovely that you are giving them a chance of a good life.

Hilly were they rehomed from bhwt? Cannot understand why their claws were not clipped on the day of rescue? Dont worry, Gwennie and Georgina were in an awlful state when I rehomed them, Gwennie could barely walk, you just know they are going to thrive with you